266 MR. W. P. PYCRAFT ON THE [ Mar. 17, 
Among the Cuculi, the least specialised palate is probably to be 
found in Cowa and Hudynamys. In Coua the maxillo-palatine pro- 
cesses are widely separated and spongy in character; the consequent 
palatal vacuity is filled by the nasal septum, which is also spongy 
in character, and, fusing with the maxillo-palatine on either side, 
forms an indirectly desmognathous palate. Hudynamys closely 
resembles Cowa in this respect, but the bony tissue is less spongy, 
and the fusion between the palatine processes and nasal septum is 
more complete. Cuculus, Guira, and Centropus resemble Hudy- 
namys. Further specialisation of the palate is seen in the still 
further obliteration of the boundaries between the maxillo-palatines 
and the nasal septum, and the tendency to shorten and broaden 
the palatines. Forms like Gleococeyw and Rhinococcyx show how 
these modifications have come about, whilst in Rhamphococcyx we 
may see the maximum development of these peculiarities. 
In the Musophagi the maxillo-palatines never appear to com- 
pletely coalesce in the middle line, nor does the nasal septum 
descend to the level of the ventral surface. The palate is never- 
theless desmognathous, since this septum fuses with the dorsal 
surfaces of the maxillo-palatines. 
No separate elements can be distinguished in the quadrato-jugal 
bar. 
In the Cueuli the quadrato-jugal bar is almost or quite con- 
tinuous with the tomium of the maxilla: in the Musophagi, on 
the contrary, 1t rises considerably above the level at its distal end. 
This difference is due to the fact that in the Cuculi the floor of 
the maxillo-palatine process lies low, being only just raised above 
the palatines at its postero-external angle, whilst in the Muso- 
(=) 
phagi this region is raised high above the palatines. 
The Vomer, Palatines, and Pterygoids. 
The vomer is absent in the Cuculi, vestigial in the Muso- 
phagi. In the latter group it is spicular in form and fused with 
the palatines, which it joins by means of a pair of very short 
limbs. Anteriorly it touches the nasal septum. 
The palatines, in the Cuculi, vary in shape. In the less 
specialised forms, such as Hudynamys, Cowa, Gwira, they are 
moderately long, and exposed slightly outwards. Anteriorly, from 
the level of the forward face of the antorbital plate to the point of 
fusion with the maxillo-palatines, the shaft of each is rod-like; 
cephalad of this point the bone spreads out into a moderately 
broad blade, the postero-external angles of which are rounded off, 
whilst the mesial border is produced ventrad to form a more or 
less pronounced keel. In OCwculws there is but little difference 
in the width between the anterior and posterior moieties, and the 
shaft is nearly straight. 
In the heavy-billed forms like Rhamphococcyx and Rhinococcyx 
the palatines are relatively shorter, and have the maxillo-palatine 
extremity laminate instead of rod-like. The skull of Seythrops, I 
regret to say, is not contained in the National Collection. 
